What does GSM mean in paper weight?

GSM stands for grams per square meter, and it tells you how much a single square meter of a given paper weighs. Because it uses one fixed measurement for every paper type, it is the most direct way to compare stocks without worrying about category quirks.

• Higher GSM means heavier, thicker, and usually stiffer paper.
• It is a metric standard, so the same number means the same weight regardless of paper category.
• It sidesteps the confusion of the pound system, where the same number can describe different thicknesses.